TOWNSVILLE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE

Indulge Your ‘Seeker Spirit’

Indulge your ‘seeker spirit’ and discover new and exciting experiences amidst the reef, rainforest and coastal city charm of Townsville, North Queensland.

Located within the dry tropics region and perched beside the Coral Sea, this vibrant city is widely recognised as ‘the capital of North Queensland’ and the gateway to the central section of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. Abounding in natural beauty, the Townsville region boasts tropical islands, ancient rainforests, protected wetlands, and rugged edge-of-the-Outback adventures – providing the perfect setting for your next tropical getaway! Whether you’ve come to escape the winter chill or to experience the excitement and action of the summer months (which we locals like to call ‘waterfall season’), it’s always a good time to escape to the Townsville North Queensland region.

To our north, in the heart of the Hinchinbrook, tropical rainforests echo with the sound of thundering waterfalls. To the south, the sugarcane capital of the Burdekin boasts stunning wetlands, fertile farmlands and boutique shopping. To the west, the historic Outback town of Charters Towers gleams with a golden past. And to the east, tropical islands, the Great Barrier Reef, and the world-famous SS Yongala shipwreck bathe in the Coral Sea.

There are so many ways to encounter the wonderfully unexpected surprises of our region. Call into our accredited Townsville Visitor Information Centre to discover all you need to know to plan and enjoy the ultimate Townville North Queensland experience. Our friendly and knowledgeable team of local experts are here to help with all your travel needs. We offer everything from maps, brochures and itineraries to assistance with travel bookings, as well as sharing top travel tips on where to eat, stay and play!

Step Inside Our Centre

Set in a city blessed to bask in over 300 days of sunshine annually, you’re always assured of a warm welcome at the Townsville Visitor Information Centre!

Our centre is conveniently located right in the heart of the city’s Central Business District, in a precinct known as Townsville Bulletin Square. We are situated next door to the Hotel Grand Chancellor, colloquially known as the ‘Sugar Shaker’, which forms a towering feature on the Townsville city skyline.

Glass panels at the entrance of our centre are covered in vibrantly coloured imagery representing the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Townsville, enticing you in to discover all that’s on offer within. As you enter, you may hear the chatter of conversation and delight in the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting from the Pedlars Project – a popular café next door.

Stepping inside the centre, you are likely to receive a warm welcome from one of our friendly volunteers, stationed at a service desk located directly ahead of you. Our expert local ambassadors possess a wealth of local knowledge and insights, and are an invaluable source of information to enable you to make the most of your time here. They can provide directions, travel tips, suggested itineraries and can even assist you with booking tours, attractions and accommodation.

Lining the walls are a large selection of brochures, guides and maps to help inspire plans for your next adventure or restful retreat within our beautiful region. This treasure trove of travel information is interspersed with photos of some of the region’s most iconic imagery, such as a Texas Longhorn, the Museum of Underwater Art and cascading Wallaman Falls – Australia’s highest, permanent, single-drop waterfall.

A Glimpse Of Our History

As you explore Townsville, several grand heritage buildings and natural features reveal clues to discovering Townsville’s history and heritage.

The traditional owners and custodians of the Townsville region are the Bindal and Wulgurukaba people, who inhabited these lands for tens of thousands of years before European settlement.

In 1770, Captain James Cook sailed along the east coast of Australia, naming some of the region’s coastal features, such as Cape Cleveland and Cleveland Bay. Magnetic Island was also named during this voyage, as Captain Cook believed it interfered with his magnetic compass. Physics aside, there’s no denying Magnetic Island continues to be a major attraction for visitors and locals alike.

The area was declared a municipality in 1866 and was named in honour of entrepreneur and businessman Robert Towns, who agreed to assist in financing the new settlement. Townsville continued to flourish and expand, and in 1902 was officially proclaimed a city.

Take a self-guided tour to visit some of our heritage buildings, learn about our history and get acquainted with some stories from our city’s prominent pioneers using the Townsville Tours and Trails app available in the App Store and Google Play. This free app features a range of audible guides with transcripts to help you navigate your way through the history and streets of our city. Follow the Merchants of Townsville Trail through historic Flinders Street East, cruise past (or into) the Pubs on Palmer or take A Stroll Along The Strand with this app as your companion.

Townsville also has a strong military history, becoming a major military base accommodating up to 90,000 Australian, American and other allied service personnel during the second World War. The city was bombed on three occasions by the Japanese, and was used as a major offensive launching base during the Battle of the Coral Sea.

The Treasures of Townsville

This vibrant city boasts natural treasures and unexpected surprises to make your holiday truly memorable for all the right reasons.

Feel on top of the world with a drive (or a hike if you’re feeling fit) up Castle Hill, a dominant natural landmark in the city centre. From this vantage point 286 metres above sea level, a spectacular landscape unfurls before you, from the secluded sandy bays of Magnetic Island in the east, to the rugged towering peak of Mount Stuart in the west.

Take a leisurely stroll through the alleys and laneways of the CBD to discover vibrant street art, from fun pops of colour to mega murals. Ask our friendly centre staff for your free Street Art Walking Trail map. For those keen to dive deeper into their love of art (quite literally!), explore a world of wonder with a visit to the Coral Greenhouse and surrounding gardens of the Museum of Underwater Art, at John Brewer Reef off Townsville. This ground-breaking series of underwater sculptures harnesses a fusion of marine science, coral gardening and art to deliver a fresh perspective on the ecology of the Great Barrier Reef.

Take a leisurely stroll along The Strand. Feel the tropical sea breeze tousle your hair and the warm sun caress your skin as you wander along this 2.2-kilometre palm-tree lined promenade. Take a refreshing dip in the seawater Rockpool, enjoy some family fun at the Strand Water Park, fish off the pier or simply relax and soak in the laid-back seaside vibes at one of the waterfront cafes.

Continue your outdoor exploration along the coastal boardwalks of nearby Jezzine Barracks. This 15-hectare heritage precinct is a significant site for Australian military and local Indigenous people, and incorporates 32 specially commissioned public artworks, extensive interpretive signage, and the restoration of significant elements of the Kissing Point Fort complex.

Accessibility

Our skilled staff at the Townsville Visitor Information Centre warmly welcome you, and have undergone accessibility awareness training to provide an inclusive experience for all visitors.

Townsville is nestled on the North Queensland coast, approximately 1400 kilometres north of Brisbane and 350 kilometres south of Cairns. Getting here is a breeze, no matter how you choose to travel. Townsville is an iconic drive destination, with many epic road trip itineraries starting here. Townsville Airport is the gateway to North Queensland, and is serviced by all major domestic airlines. Hire cars, airport transfers and taxi and Uber services are available at the terminal. Queensland Rail’s Spirit of Queensland and Inlander trains also service the city, as do several intercity coach lines. If cruising is more your style, Townsville Cruise Terminal is a welcoming port of call on your next voyage.

The Townsville Visitor Information Centre is located just off Flinders Street, within the Townville Bulletin Square in the heart of the CBD. Our centre is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on weekends. You are also welcome to give our friendly team a call on 07 4721 3660.

Local TransLink buses provide public transport to the City Hub in Ogden Street. From here, walk approximately 300 metres along Ogden Street towards Stokes Street, to arrive at our centre at the base of the towering Hotel Grand Chancellor. For journey planning information, please call 13 12 30 or visit translink.com.au.

If arriving by car, please note that street parking is available, but may be limited for larger vehicles such as RVs and caravans. Please refer to our website for further advice.

Our centre is wheelchair accessible, with wide doorways and a single level. A publicly accessible bathroom with automated doors is located next to our centre. A grassy area suitable for toileting assistance animals is available just two metres from our front door.